(S&D) Safety & Defense - The Bad Angle Safety

A bad angle is any shot that is not within the shooter’s skills to pocket. It does not have to be impossible, but must be a low percentage shot for your opponent. (Low percentage means that the shot cannot be pocketed more than 30-40% of the time – 3 or 4 out of 10 tries.)

This tool alone or combined with the distance safety is one of the easiest to set up. It is very flexible with a high tolerance factor. It does not require precise control. Everyone, regardless of skill level, can easily create a bad angle defensive shot.

When combined with other safety types, such as over-a-ball or frozen cushion, the shot becomes exponentially more difficult. This is one of the ways that your opponent only gets one shot per inning.

Note: There is a certain wear and tear on the psychological well-being of any player who constantly only gets one shot per turn.

When setting up a safety, know the shooting skills of your opponent (see Opponent analysis on page 79). This determines how careful to be when leaving a difficult shot. For example, if he has a special talent for successfully making tough cuts, don’t provide one.

Sometimes you have an opponent who attempts anything, no matter how stupid. Entertain yourself by setting up bad angle after bad angle. Someday he might figure out what you were doing and take some steps to correct his approach to the game.

There is a luck factor to be considered. You are providing a shot with the percentages of failure weighted in your favor. But even the craziest shots are sometimes successful. If your opponent somehow does make such a shot, shrug your shoulders and move on. Accept it as an element of the game and continue playing the percentages. (Let your opponent enjoy his moment of sunshine – you will allow very few of them.)

Against a savvy opponent, this could begin a Safety battle. The skills learned from this book ensure you come out on top, regardless of how long the battle goes on.